Page 37 of The Spider Queen

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“Hello, Vince,” I said back.

“Oh, Poppy! Italy was magical. I can’t wait to show you the photos!”

“Hey, Mom. I’m actually on my way to class. Do you mind if I give you a call later this week?”

“Okay, kiddo,” she chirped. “Study hard!”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, Mom. Love you.”

“Love you!” She clicked off, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

How’s your mother?

You heard all that?

Yes.

Did you listen on purpose or did you think about giving me some privacy?

I heard her because you let me hear her.

What does that mean?

It means that you have to actively shut me out if you don’t want me to hear.

And how do I go about making that happen?

Like anything else. You have to practice. Though I’d prefer if you didn’t. Why does your mother try your patience?

She’s not an easy person to love. Can we leave it at that?

Afternoon wore on and we moved away from discussing my mom. It was going on four o’clock when I realized I needed to get back. Hunter and I had plans to meet at six and I hadn’t yet showered. Everything had been forgotten in the midst of this new development with Thane.

Thane the Spider.

Why can I talk to you in a way I can’t talk to anyone else?

You tell me.

Maybe because you’re not real? And you’re just a figment of my very active imagination. There’s a good chance I’ve been sitting in this car, carrying on a silent conversation with myself.

Maybe,he agreed.

That’s not helpful, Thane.

Sorry, Poppy.

I put the car in reverse and drove back toward Charleston. The rain lightened, but that didn’t make me any less vigilant. Charlestonians freaked out at the smallest bit of rain.

Are you ever going to tell me how you got out of the lake?

I climbed out,he replied.

Right. Because that makes sense. You’re trapped in a cube, and your legs are wrapped around a black stone. How the hell could you climb out of the lake?

Magic.

You are infuriating!

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